Nova Scotia government plans to make daycare more affordable

The cost of childcare will decrease and workers will make more, Nova Scotia Premier StephenMcNeilsaid Friday inhis speech atthe opening night of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party annual general meeting.

"I am proud tonight to stand here in front of you to say the 2016 budget will reflect the value we place on our children," he told the crowd.

The premier wouldn't elaborate on any dollar figures, saying they'll be released in the budget when it is tabled later this month.

"We will make daycare more affordable and we will ensure early childhood educators receive an improved wage for the important work they do on behalf of all of our families,"said McNeil.

"Affordable daycare takes financial pressures off of families, giving them more choice and a chance at a better future."

Applause inside, protests outside

As McNeil addressed the packed ballroom at the Westin Hotel, a noisy group of about 100 protestors were in front of the hotel banging on drums and voicing their displeasure with McNeil's government.

Most of them were protesting the Liberal government's decision to slash the film tax credit, a decision that has crippled the Nova Scotia film industry.

McNeil continues to stand behind the decision.

"We had to do the tough work,"said McNeil. "We would be unable to make some of the decisions we're making now as a government if we didn't reign in the cost of doing business in this province."

Finance Minister Randy Delorey is expected to deliver the budget on April 19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be a special guest at the Liberal party meeting on Saturday.